STATEMENT
BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA, CGH, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF
THE DEFENCE FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA ON THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE CASE AT
THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
I
have learnt that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has
withdrawn the case against me. I am excited by this news, which I have awaited
ever since the day my name was announced to the world in connection with the
case. I am also deeply relieved by this decision, which is overdue by 6 years.
I
have repeatedly declared my innocence to the people of Kenya and the whole
world. I repeat this even now: as relates the incidents comprising the Kenyan
cases at the ICC, my conscience is absolutely clear.
It
has always been my position that the Kenyan cases at the ICC were rushed there
without proper investigation or preparation, and sustained by a strong interest
to stigmatise accused persons. As an institution of the international
community, victims of serious crimes and people around the world had a right to
expect the Court to dispense justice with integrity and without undue
considerations. For the Prosecutor to sustain an obviously deficient case for
so long demonstrates beyond doubt the intensity of pressure exerted by improper
interests to pollute and undermine the philosophy of international justice.
There
is no justice when human rights clubs and an international tribunal conspire to
betray victims of human rights abuses and persecute the innocent. The tragedy
of this travesty is beyond words.
The
victims in this case will get no satisfaction from the ICC, owing to the
Prosecutor’s decision to compromise a quest for justice in favour of political
considerations. This is an incomparable tragedy. Just as the ICC failed me, it
has also failed the victims of the 2007-2008 post-election violence. They were
killed, maimed, displaced, dispossessed and utterly traumatized. I have been
victimized, libeled and senselessly profiled by the same defective process.
The
Government of Kenya has sustained its efforts to restitute and reintegrate the
victims of the PEV as best as it can. Our justice system continues to process
the cases which have been instituted. I have supported these efforts because
ultimately, the victims must get justice. The world may have failed them, but
they will not be let down at home.
The
Prosecutor opted to selectively pursue cases in a blatantly biased manner that
served vested interests and undermined justice. As a result, the Court has had
to pay a steep reputational price, which it will continue to face unless a
serious and systemic rethinking of the International Justice framework is
undertaken.
My
brother and deputy, Hon. William Ruto, as well as Mr Joshua Sang continue to
face their accusers at the ICC with a clear conscience. With me, they have been
steadfast in declaring their innocence. I am confident that they will be
vindicated in due course. I stand with them, and will support them and pray
with them until that time. As my deputy and principal assistant, William Ruto
is an indispensable asset in my Government. I look forward to the day when we
shall not have the distraction of the trials, so that we can continue
delivering our transformational agenda to the people of Kenya.
I
thank the people of Africa and all their leaders who, through the Africa Union,
demonstrated robust and unflinching support by word and deed, in the true
spirit of African brotherhood. Your solidarity has deeply touched and inspired
me. I urge you to continue supporting us as we give my Brother William Ruto and
his co-accused, Joshua Sang support and solidarity to confront the last
outstanding case.
Fellow
Kenyans, I thank each and everyone of you for your support, prayers, words of
encouragement and best wishes. God has net let us down. God will never let us
down. As we promised, we have not, and shall never let the cases sully
our sovereignty, or get in the way of managing the affairs of our nation.
Thank
you, and may God bless you.